MIAMI SHORES, Fla. -- Barry University's volleyball team will open the season Friday at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Bahama House Classic in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The Buccaneers, picked to finish fifth in the Sunshine State Conference by the league coaches, will meet Missouri S&T at 10 a.m. Friday, and Barton at 4 p.m. Both matches will be carried on the ERAU network. The Bucs will hold a Red & White scrimmage 5 p.m. Saturday before hosting the Barry University Classic Sept. 8-9.

Barry went 16-14 last year, finishing sixth in the league at 7-9. Missouri S&T was 11-19 last year. Barton went 22-9, advancing to the NCAA Southeast Regional.

"We've got a lot of experience coming back and a great newcomer class," Buccaneers head coach Steve Hendricks said.

Senior hitters Jaeda Allen, an honorable mention All-American as a junior, and Genesis Castillo return. Middle blockers Kristina Filimonova, the SSC Freshman of the Year, and Kishara Gordon and outside hitter Brittany Reynolds are all in their second seasons with the Bucs. Sophomore setters Juliana Tirabassi and Maegan Cuesta and back row specialist Madison Yarborough also spent their freshmen seasons with the Bucs last year.

Newcomer Nathaly Alvarez, a junior college All-American at College of Central Florida, provides good experience at the setter position. 

"Nathaly Alvarez ran a great offense at the College of Central Florida at a high level," Hendricks said. "She's going to push our other two setters to be better on the court."

Junior middle Johanna Voss, a transfer from Palm Beach State College, libero Alexis Boutin, who played two years at Minot State, sophomore middle Stassy Samokhvalova, outside hitter/defensive specialist Monica Martinez and freshmen hitters Brooke Freckleton and Gabriela Jansen are all part of the mix.

"The ability is there, we just have to manage it a little better," Hendricks said. "I think it's going to be good."

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